Am I under-thinking this? (First holiday as a family, 2yo and 4yo)

[Essie274]

Genuinely... am I missing something?

We have just booked a holiday for this summer with our children who will be 2 and 4. We've never been abroad with them before, and actually haven't ever been on a holiday with them even in the UK (we've had long weekends away visiting family in various parts of the UK, travelled to by public transport). It's a Eurocamp holiday at a camp that has been recommended by friends as being good for kids but not designed FOR kids, we're going for two weeks, it's easy enough to go into a city or other nearby towns for the day by train if we get bored at the site/in the local town/local beach, etc. We are flying but only a 2hr flight.

I'm excited. I can't see how it is going to be another other than lovely? I'm not expecting magic and rainbows, perfectly behaved children, etc... but how bad can it be? I'm a SAHP for reference. I spend a lot of my time with just the children so idk how different it could possibly be on holiday?

DH has just got back from visiting his friend's family who are parents of slightly older children (5-8 ish) and has come back panicking that it is going to be a hellish disaster, that we need to buy travel entertainment packs (not a clue what these are), iPads, fidget toys, prepare for constant tantrums and strops, and basically that we won't enjoy ourselves at all (as parents).

I think he/they are being ridiculous... but maybe I am? I DO have a tendency to just say "ah, everything will be fine, it'll be what it'll be" and hope for the best, whereas DH is much more of a "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" kind of guy. I genuinely want you to please tell me what I actually NEED to prepare for with the holiday and also travel days? DH now thinks we need everything

I feel like I'm probably doing my usual thing and am going to get there/be at the airport thinking "oh I wish I had done xyz"... please help?

Sounds like a lot of fun !

Plan when you are eating with the little ones on the journeys - as close to their normal times as possible ( know that isn’t always possible ). We tend to plan to eat in the airport if we have a bit of time there or if it’s nearer to food time on the plane then we buy at the airport and carry it on. Also plenty of drinks and snacks as they’re a fortune on the plane !

Pushchair was a godsend containing 2 year old at the airport ( especially with a trolley full of cases ) and we kept it until
the aeroplane where it was loaded straight into cargo.

Hardest part for us was getting off the plane and through passport control trying to contain the 2 year old ( there might be speedy lane for families at some airports - we were directed to one ). And make sure you find all the signs for retrieving the pushchair upon getting off the plane - we made the mistake of thinking it would come with the other luggage ( nope, it was at the other side of the airport )

On the plane we make sure there are drinks for take off and landing ( mimics sucking for balancing out ears and stops need for sucky sweets with little ones ). We also had a few new little toys/ books given wrapped and one at a time to help the time on the plane pass.

I don’t think it’s stressful particularly, the little ones are excited by the travelling and the new places. We didn’t need iPads etc, but a little planning helps keep things on a more even keel especially around food or nap times when travelling !

Go and have a blast on that holiday !

It’ll be fine! My parents took me and my brother on key camp holidays every year from when I was 1 so a 1 year and a 3 year old. That was in the 90s so no iPads and things to take. It was always absolutely fine.

Can I ask which Eurocamp you’re going to? Looking for ideas with public transport!

You'll be fine. I don't get it when people say they don't bother going on holiday when kids are small. Obvs you can't lie by the pool and read and sip cocktails anymore but there is still fun to be had. A change is as good as a rest as they say.

I think it's because some people have a very set idea of what a holiday should be ie doing nothing and want/expect that to continue after kids enter their lives which is impossible (unless you have a lot of money!). I have noticed that the people who were adventurers before they had kids definitely seem to adapt to the change better than those who enjoyed beach holidays. Nothing wrong with a beach holiday of course!

I'm also baffled when people claim that a holiday isn't a holiday if you stay in an apartment as you have to, god forbid, make your own bed and sort your own breakfast 🤔😂I book apartments for the extra space (and to have a washing machine so I don't need to bring as many clothes), not because I'm going to cook my own meals every night. I'd miss out on so many good restaurants that way!

It’s the advice I was given by multiple air hostesses. shrugs

Incidentally, @Canthelpmyselffromjoiningin, you will note I didn’t actually say to give the youngsters sweets. I said the sucking helps the pain. I kind of assume parents can figure out a suitable alternative for their children.

The airports really make an effort to make the process easy for people who have kids. I found it easier to do the airport bit with kids than without you practically just walk through! The plane can be tough depending on the type of kids / if they are tired etc but I wouldn't recommend ipads - they keep them entertained for a while but once they are turned off they go mad. Get some travel games for the older one that you can play together and some nice treats to munch on. The younger one might be more difficult- just try and make sure they are tired enough to sleep on the plane if possible. My big thing is how close is the hotel to the airport? In my experience they can do the flight but if the transfers add another 3 hours on to the travel time it can be very difficult for young kids. I never book anything that isn't 20 mins in a cab from the airport now.

It depends on what expectation you have. When I first went on holiday with my littles, I thought I'd still have time to lie on a subbed, lazy mornings, long leisurely lunches. None of that happens with a 2 & 4 year old! As long as you know the holiday will revolve around them, you'll be fine! My DH and I relaxed on the balcony in the evening with a drink and played cards when they had gone to sleep, that was the most relaxing we did. Or you can tag team to give each other time x

It will be absolutely fine and , indeed, fun. Two whole adults for two children, a tiny little'house' with minimal regular chores, no work or emails etc... what's the problem? You will find a way that suits you so eg we would try to encourage a nap on holiday so that we could go out for an evening meal. We usually had a back pack ( or two) and/or a buggy with parasol.Have a lovely time OP.

I think you do right, I'm more like your husband (and my partner like you) and it's actually annoying how often things do just work out for him without the extreme planning lengths I go to 😂

I'm working on being more like you both!